Whether you are looking to revive an app from “zombie” state or you want to avoid the most common mistakes in mobile user acquisition, one of the most important growth hacking strategies to increase your app downloads is to invest in App Store Optimization. As you can see in our Ultimate ASO Checklist an essential stage for building a great app store page is to display amazing screenshots of your app. This can be harder than you think but with the right guiding from us you will manage to present your app in front of your users in the best possible way.
Apple App Store And Google Play Specifications
Because we have to play by the rules we check official guidelines as usual when we want to share something on Google Play or on Apple App Store. Google offers the possibility to upload a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 screenshots for every device type supported by the app, but only JPEG or 24 – bit PNG formats. The minimum dimension accepted is 320px and the maximum dimension is 3840px. The condition is that the maximum dimension of an image can’t be bigger than twice as the minimum dimension. All the screenshots will be shown in the app details’ section.
Image Source: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/1078870?hl=en
Apple requires a more complicated process since you need to upload various sizes for all screen types. You can upload minimum 1 picture and maximum 5 screenshots and only high – quality JPEG or PNG images. The image below is only for one device type. For more information you need to check the official documentation.
Image Source: https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/LanguagesUtilities/Conceptual/iTunesConnect_Guide/Appendices/Properties.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40011225-CH26-SW2
There is a reason for all the rules published by both platforms and that is to provide the best experience for your users. So you must act accordingly. Our advice is to take advantage of the maximum number of screenshots allowed and to upload only extremely good pictures.
Best Practices To Amazing App Screenshots
As we already mentioned with previous occasions, it is not enough to increase your app’s visibility, you must convince potential users to download it. Follow our best practices for best results.
Don’t Randomize!
Select your screenshots in a well-defined order. Keep in mind that users are attracted by the first image and if that is interesting enough they will check the second one, and after that the third one and so on. Following a logical path will make them understand what you really want to show them.
Image Source: http://blog.testnest.co/app-screenshots-messaging-technique/
Make It Aesthetic
The aspect of the screenshots is the most important. Impress them with carefully chosen colors and attract them with an essential element which will make the difference between your screenshots and all the other ones in the app store.
Image Source: http://info.localytics.com/blog/designing-app-store-screenshots
Spotlight Key Parts Of Your App
Remember that mobile devices are really small and you need to help users to have a clear vision about your app. You can be sure that if somebody needs to struggle for observing something in your screenshots he will leave your app page right away. Use the Zoom In option for some of the photos for allowing users to see what your app has to offer. Just take example from the image below.
Image Source: https://www.slideshare.net/Tapmint/advanced-app-store-optimisation-tips-tactics
Make It Whole With Pieces Like “Puzzle”
If you convert the entire process in a small game you can receive the wanted attention. You can try to split an image or two in multiple pieces and to display them in a specific order for intriguing viewers. Be careful not to create a very complicated task because you don’t want to annoy them. You just need to be sure that users are curious enough to go over all the screenshots.
Image Source: http://blog.hurree.co/blog/9-tips-when-choosing-your-app-store-screenshots?utm_campaign=1116%20-%20Dummies%20Guide%20to%20App%20Marketing&utm_content=48827977&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Feel Free To Show Any Award Or Mentions About Your App
We already talked about the effects created by influencers when you want to promote your app. The same thing happens with screenshots. People are impressed when they discover that somebody else appreciated your work. Don’t be shy and brag about your accomplishments.
Image Source: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.popularapp.sevenmins
Keep It Consistent
Create a pattern which can be found in every image shown on app store. If you chose a special theme for your app, use it also for your screenshots. Did you recognize Snapchat’s style in the following pictures? It has the unmistakable bright yellow and it reveals the best manner to share funny snaps with all your friends.
Image Source: https://knect365.com/apps-world/article/e9b394ee-e575-46b0-84f1-382f45bc5298/how-to-market-your-app-differently-to-each-generation
Display One Killer Feature Per Screenshot
Don’t overwhelm your screenshots. Keep it simple and show only one item on each image. You want to make users understand your app in a few seconds not to puzzle them with all kinds of vision boards.
Image Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/app-store-optimization-aso-how-optimize-your-fabien-pierre-nicolas
Show How Your App Or Game Is Working
Taking into consideration that screenshots could be more efficient than app description you need to present the story of your app through high quality pictures. It is relatively hard to describe the workflow with words, so why don’t you use images to optimize the effects of onboarding. People are waiting to see your app in motion, so to speak. Give them that.
Image Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9-tips-when-choosing-your-app-store-screenshots-emma-mullan
Don’t Forget That A/B Testing Improves Conversion Rate
The best way to make sure that your decisions will have the wanted effects is to gather two sets of screenshots and to test them. You may be surprised to discover that the best solution is different from the one you would choose. An article published by AppAnnie explains better this phenomenon.
Image Source: https://splitmetrics.com/blog/10-tips-on-designing-screenshots-that-convert/
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you ever reached an amazing store page of an app and you found yourself wondering how they managed to create such awesome screenshots, now you know how they did it. It is time to make your creation shine on the market and to present your app’s most important characteristics through amazing visuals.
